Topmusicanswers
The range of the bassoon begins at B♭1 (the first one below the bass staff) and extends upward over three octaves, roughly to the G above the treble staff (G5). However, most writing for bassoon rarely calls for notes above C5 or D5; even Stravinsky's opening solo in The Rite of Spring only ascends to D5.
- Is a bassoon high pitch?
- What is the range of the bassoon?
- How many octaves does a bassoon have?
- Is bassoon a soprano?
Is a bassoon high pitch?
The bassoon is a double reed instrument. Because of its size, it plays very low notes, giving it a lower sound than the other woodwind instruments. The bassoon's double reed produces a characteristic nasal quality, two octaves lower than the range of the oboe, that lends distinctive color to the woodwind instruments.
What is the range of the bassoon?
| INSTRUMENT | WRITTEN RANGE (C4=middle C) | SOUNDING (transposition) ...than written |
|---|---|---|
| Bassoon | Bb1-Eb5 | |
| Contrabassoon (Sarrusophone) | Bb1-Bb4 | 1 octave lower |
| Saxophones | Bb3-G6 | Bb soprano: a whole step lower Eb alto: a 6th lower Bb tenor: a 9th lower Eb baritone: 1 octave+6th lower Bb bass: 1 octave+9th lower |
| BRASS | Written | Sounding |
How many octaves does a bassoon have?
For the bassoon, which has a range that extends over three octaves, a musical score that is usually written on the treble clef would soon extend into horizontal "ledger lines" for high-pitched notes, and become difficult to read, so is instead usually transposed onto the C clef.
Is bassoon a soprano?
The bassoon plays the role of tenor and bass in the orchestral double reed section (the oboe and English horn play soprano and alto, respectively). Bassoons come in two sizes: the bassoon, and the double bassoon or contrabassoon, which sounds an octave lower than the bassoon.
